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Madonna news - Jan. 2002
← Dec. 2001 | Feb. 2002 →
Madonna takes Lola to photo exhibit
Source: Ananova - 30 January 2002Madonna took the rare step of taking her daughter out on the town for the opening of a photo exhibition. She was also accompanied by Guy Ritchie at the bash to launch the display of work by top fashion photographer Mario Testino. Five-year-old Lourdes has featured in at least one of the photos that Testino has taken of Madonna.
A host of other stars, including singer Natalie Imbruglia as well as models Helena Christensen and Kate Moss also turned up at the party. The exhibition, at the National Portrait Gallery in London's West End, brings together more than 120 colour and black-and-white pictures by Testino, who was Princess Diana's favourite fashion photographer.
Extraordinary images of Diana taken just before she died will be shown alongside portraits of icons from fashion, film and music. British stars whose portraits are on display include Robbie Williams, Catherine Zeta Jones and Liz Hurley. Special sections of the exhibition have been devoted to images of Madonna, Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Kylie & Madonna good friends?
Source: LouiseVeronicaCiccone - 29 January 2002According to British 'Todays Paper' Madonna and Kylie Minogue have become inseparable friends. The two singers would've met through Madonna's stylist, after daughter Lourdes asked to invite the Australian singer. Kylie and boyfriend James Gooding would often dine with Madonna and Guy, and the girls would spend a lot of time together shopping. Close friends would have declared that a duet in the future would be a possibility and that Guy considers casting Kylie in one of his movies.
Immaculate Collection is the greatest
Source: Madonna Information Report - 27 January 2002Blender magazine, a music magazine from the publishers of Maxim, compiled a list of the 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time. The no.1 album on the list was Madonna's The Immaculate Collection. In the article text it mentions that Madonna still listens to it. It was her only album to appear on the list.
New pix in POP art book
26 January 2002Earlier this month fansite Where Life Begins showed pictures of Madonna leaving a photo studio. Rumour has it that she did an exclusive photo shoot for the bi-annual art book POP that will be released in the spring. Madonna has exclusively modelled for it and the pictures will only be used for the book.
The book is created by the makers of The Face. You can order it from the 11th of February and the price will be 5 UK pounds. POP have said that everyone will talk about the pictures. (thanx to Floris Van Raaijen)
Madonna Weekend on MTV Europe
26 January 2002During the first weekend of February, MTV Europe will broadcast another Madonna Weekend: "from her 1983 debut, you'll be able to watch her chart success all the way through nearly two decades and through over forty video releases."
Austin Powers song denied *rumour*
26 January 2002Earlier this week fansite Madonnarama reported that Madonna has contributed a song to the soundtrack of the new Austin Powers movie Goldmember. Dotmusic claims now that an official spokesperson for Madonna has denied this rumour.
Madonnarama's Edward replied again with a statement that he believes in his sources. We'll have to wait and see...
Madonna to cover Bowie *rumour*
Source: Madonna Information Report - 26 January 2002According to MTV2, Madonna just recorded the David Bowie classic Ziggy Stardust for her new album. They said Madonna has always been a big fan of Bowie and Ziggy Stardust is her all-time favorite song by Bowie.
They said that she is recording more music for the album at the present moment and that the album should be in stores this summer. They also said this album will be her first where she plays guitar.
More on VH1 special 'Driven'
Source: Zap2it - 25 January 2002The new VH1 series 'Driven' has managed to find some information about pop icon Madonna that actually isn't common knowledge. The show, which looks at key early moments in the careers of music stars, will provide some fresh material for Madonnologists when it airs at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday (Jan. 29), including reminiscences from her first manager, Adam Alter, and paintings by an artist named Anthony Panzera, who hired the then-struggling singer as a nude model.
In addition, 'Driven' will show clips from two rarely seen movies in which Madonna appeared before she became famous: "A Certain Sacrifice" - Madonna sued (unsuccessfully) to block its release on video in 1985 - and "In Artificial Light," which is described as a "rarely seen art film".
Pictures of the singer modeling for a fellow student and footage of her performing with her early band, Emmy, will also be part of the show, as will interviews with Madonna's high school guidance counselor, college roommate and the director of her first video.
Peggy Lee dies at 81
Source: Sonicnet - 24 January 2002Peggy Lee, the legendary pop and jazz singer whose best-known song 'Fever' was covered by Madonna on 1992's Erotica, died Monday from a heart attack at her home in the Bel Air community of Los Angeles. She was 81.
'You Must Love Me' on Webber's 'Now and Forever'
Source: Madonna Information Report - 23 January 2002Madonna's recording of 'You Must Love Me' is included on an Andrew Lloyd Webber box set called 'Now and Forever' compiling various performances from his musicals. Antonio Banderas's 'Oh What A Circus' from the Evita film is also included.
Beautiful Stranger part II *rumour*
22 January 2002According to Madonnarama Madonna has recorded a song for inclusion in the forthcoming Austin Powers film, 'Goldmember'. Madonna submitted the track to the movie's producers a few weeks ago. It's thought that, subject to approval, it will be the main song for the movie - echoing the extemely successful 'Beautiful Stranger' which appeared in 1999's 'The Spy Who Shagged Me'.
The details of the title or the producer are not yet available, but insiders reckon that - provided the movie's producers accept the song (and why wouldn't they!) - it could be released as a single in late Spring this year. ~ No official confirmation as yet
LSD&M in Cannes *rumour*
22 January 2002According to Madonnarama Guy Ritchie's new film, still provisionally titled 'Love, Sex, Drugs & Money' will be shown at the 55th annual Cannes Festival. The festival takes place in the second two weeks of May and it's not yet known if the film will be enterred in the competition.
It is, however, likely that the Ritchies will attend the event. Last time Madonna premiered a movie at Cannes was 1991's preview of 'Truth or Dare' / 'In Bed With Madonna'.
Despite what you may have read elsewhere, it's not confirmed that Madonna has recorded a song for the movie. Though it seems likely, there's no news on this yet. But there's bad news for fans. The film is not receiving a general release until the Autumn.
Celine sells better than Madonna
Source: Hollywood Reporter, thanx to Thierry Veran - 22 January 2002Celine Dion has beaten Madonna in record sales in Europe. Over the past six years the French-Canadian singer sold twice as much as Madonna. From 1996 to 2001 Celine received 33 Platinum discs for 8 albums, while Madonna got 17 times Platinum for 5 albums.
A weekend in Paris
22 January 2002Earlier we reported that Madonna had attended a fashion show of Donnatella Versace last saturday evening, together with her friend Gwyneth Paltrow. Other celebs attending the show were Rolling Stone Ron Wood, Boy George, Sheryl Crow and Chelsea Clinton. Afterwards Madonna went dining out with Stella McCartney in 'La Cantine du Faubourg'.
After spending the night at Hotel Crillon (where she stayed during the tour as well), Madonna went to Jean-Paul Gaultier's fashion show and took him and Sigourney Weaver for lunch in Balzar. Later that sunday she returned to London. Quite a fancy weekend! (source: Madonna Electronica's Thierry Veran)
News on new album *rumour*
Source: Madonnarama - 21 January 2002"Our spies in Paris managed to pick up some news about Madonna's latest recordings. She is indeed working in Sarm West studios in London and she and Mirwais (plus another, as yet unnamed producer) have recorded two songs. There is no news yet as to whether these are destined for a new album or part of a film project. We hope to have more news on this very soon."
Bird agreed with abortion
21 January 2002Other news sources have highlighted parts of Bird's story:
"The ex-boyfriend who made Madonna pregnant says he supported her decision to abort their baby. Andy Bird, a penniless English drifter when he met the Material Girl - who'd already had daughter Lourdes - in 1997, insists neither he nor Madonna was ready for a child. "I wasn't sure I should be allowed to father a child," Bird, 30, told Scotland's Sunday Mail." More at PageSix. Part two of the interview is now available at Little Star.
Andy Bird's story
20 January 2002A while back we heard that Madonna's former lover Andy Bird is going to cash in on their relationship by selling his story. English newspaper Daily Mail has started a serialisation of Bird's story. You can read the first part at Little Star - The Madonna Site; the other parts will follow next week.
Anti-fur protesters disturb Versace show
Source: Reuters - 20 January 2002
Animal rights protesters stormed the catwalk at Italian designer Donatella Versace's haute couture show in Paris on Saturday, stunning an audience which included Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rolling Stone Ron Wood. [...] A well-dressed blonde woman managed to partly unroll a banner reading "Fur Kills. Peta" in front of photographers before being forced off and wrestled to the ground, a few yards from where Madonna and her celebrity friends sat. The woman was rapidly escorted away as models, apparently oblivious to the incident, continued to parade to a thumping disco soundtrack. Moments later, the mood was back to normal and Madonna and Paltrow whispered jokes to each other.
Ewan bashes Madonna
Source: PageSix.com - 20 January 2002"Madonna made an arse of herself. It was really embarrassing, I thought. She was trying to be provocative" - Ewan McGregor in W regarding Madonna's foulmouthed presentation of the prestigious Turner Prize to artist Martin Creed.
No NRJ Award
20 January 2002Madonna was nominated for 'Best Female Artist' for the French NRJ Music Awards in Cannes, but lost to J-Lo.
Stuart Price interview
Source: 2-Pop - 19 January 20022-Pop has a complete interview with Stuart Price, musician on the DWT and co-producer on Madonna's next studio album. He talks about how he gave up touring with U2 to join the Drowned World Tour and what material he reworked. The interview was taken at the end of the tour, so there's no news on the new album. Read here.
Remix Madonna yourself
18 January 2002AcidPlanet has set up a new website where you can make your own remix of Music, Deeper and Deeper and Ray Of Light. They promise cool prizes for the hottest mixes. So go to RemixMadonna.com and enter the Madonna Remix contest!
Rolling Stone's 2001 Music Awards
Source: MadonnaMusic - 18 January 2002In "Rolling Stone's" 2001 music awards issue (No Doubt on cover), Madonna is #3 on the reader-voted Favorite Female list, following Britney and J.Lo.
E! Sexiest women
Source: E! Online - 17 January 2002Madonna is at no. 10 in the list of 'Sexiest Women in Entertainment' of E! Online.
Montreal covered Madonna with gifts
Source: Madonna Electronica - 17 January 2002Canadian newspaper 'Le Journal de Montréal' put Madonna on the cover with a tour picture. The article reads that the 'Centre Molson', one of the biggest venues in Quebec, constantly covered Madonna with gifts during the tour.
From Barcelona to Los Angeles gifts and flowers were sent to Madonna (several were addressed to Guy, Lourdes and Rocco) to convince her to include Montréal in her tour schedule. Manager Caresse Norman didn't reply.
It became a running gag during the tour. The owner of the 'Centre Molson' explains that he didn't expect Madonna to change her tour schedule, but he hopes that the gifts will make her think of Montréal next time she goes on tour. Hopefully he hasn't spent more than a million American dollars for nothing...
DWT video producer gets nomination
Source: Yahoo! - 17 January 2002The Art Directors Guild (ADG) announced nominations in six categories of Production Design for motion pictures and television competing in the ADG's Sixth Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for the year 2001. Art director of the Drowned World Tour, Bruce Ridgers is nominated in Category IV - Variety of Awards Show, Music Special, or Documentary.
Madonna items auctioned by Britney & Justin
Source: SonicNet - 17 January 2002A dance lesson with the 'NSYNC member is one of several prizes up for auction at a charity Super Bowl party Timberlake and girlfriend Britney Spears are hosting at New York's Planet Hollywood on February 3, the day of the big game, according to an event spokesperson. While watching the game on big-screen televisions strewn about the restaurant, guests will be able to bid on the dance class with Justin and the opportunity for a cameo role in an upcoming Spears movie, video or commercial, as well as items from New York Yankee Derek Jeter, golfer Tiger Woods, and Madonna.
New photoshoot? *rumour*
14 January 2002
Dedicated fansite Where Life Begins has pictures of Madonna and Lola leaving Highgate Studios, where she's believed to have done a photoshoot.
Madonna and Guy to honor Sting
14 January 2002It has been announced that Madonna and Guy Ritchie will present a lifetime achievement award to Sting at the 2002 Brits which take place in London on Feb 20th. It is yet unknown if Madonna herself is nominated in any of the categorys - you must remember that Madonna scooped her first ever Brit in 2001 for best International Female.
Rumour alerts
13 January 2002The MLVC mailing list reports a rumor that Madonna's people checked out the Pepsi Center in Denver to see if it was big enough for a performance.
And a quote from AllMadonna: "This year will see Madonna perform a Beatles classic for a benefit album honoring the late Linda McCartney."
If either one gets confirmed, you'll read it here. But I wouldn't get up my hopes just yet...
Don't call her Madge
Source: Daily Star - 12 January 2002Madonna has banned husband Guy Ritchie and his cockney mates from calling her Madge - because she DETESTS it. The Queen of Pop has issued strict orders that no one uses the nickname first given to her by her movie director lover. Friends say the American superstar 'absolutely hates' being called Madge and has insisted everyone calls her by her full name. The revelation was made by British actor Jason Flemying who became a close friend of Guy when he starred in his movies 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch'. Jason said: "She just hates Madge. We're under strict instructions not to call her that. She absolutely abhors it." But the British star insisted that Madonna was not at all stuck up, said she was 'one of the boys'. He said: "she loves being one of the lads and being treated normally." Madge recently announced that she wanted Guy to be knighted - so she could be called Lady Madonna. However, it only showed her lack of British noble affairs - a knight's wife always takes her husband surname so she would be known as Lady Ritchie.
Yesterday's poll at PeopleNews
Source: PeopleNews - 12 January 2002Who would you prefer to see Frank Skinner interview? According to the good readership of PeopleNews, The Queen of Pop, Madonna, still rules, winning a stunning 74% of your votes. Limping behind in joint second place is corset-loving Joan Collins and Barbra 'my voice is as big as my nose' Streisand at 13%.
Will Madonna take note of the public's wishes and do a Britney Spears and appear on the cheeky Brummie's show? Hard to imagine, but in light of recent revelations of Madge's love of comedian Bernard Manning, nothing would surprise us.
Highs & lows in 2001
12 January 2002USA today announced the highs & lows in Celebrity World for 2001. Madonna is mentioned in the 'highs' twice:
Coming together: In the days after Sept. 11, Hollywood's glitterati joined forces to fight terrorism in their own way. Julia Roberts and Madonna each donated $2 million to the Red Cross.
Comeback kid: After two marriages and two kids, Madonna, 43, proved she still has it. The Material Girl launched a sold-out world tour, her first in eight years.
New VH1 special
10 January 2002Once upon a time, Britney Spears, Madonna and Marilyn Manson weren't household names. So what did they have to do break out of the pack and reach the top of the music world? The new VH1 series 'Driven' brings the music world's biggest pop icons' unknown pasts to life with footage that the public has never seen, plus interviews with those special people who played integral roles in their development as artists and individuals, providing a rare glimpse at what they were really like. Upcoming one-hour episodes of 'Driven' will focus on Britney Spears (Jan. 22), Madonna (Feb. 5), Marilyn Manson (Feb. 12), Jennifer Lopez (Feb. 19) and others. More about 'Driven' at Zap2it.
DWT video banned in Singapore
Source: Launch - 9 January 2002Madonna's Drowned World Tour 2001 concert DVD has been deemed "too explicit" for Singapore and banned from release there, Billboard reports. The Singapore Board Of Film Censors took issue with two scenes in particular: Japanese-inspired animation sequences that depicted a monster fondling and raping an Asian-looking girl. Madonna's management is reportedly debating whether to release an edited version of the DVD in that country.
Madonna lived with Hernandez in Belgium
9 January 2002Tonight on the Belgian TV program 'Man bijt hond' there was an item about Madonna living in Belgium. In an interview with Radio Donna last month, Patrick Hernandez ('Born To Be Alive') admitted Madonna, who was his backup singer in the late 70s, lived together with him in Aalbeke, a small village in Belgium.
In the TV program people from Aalbeke were interviewed about the now-famous former inhabitant of their town. They remembered her as a friendly girl, who did her shopping in town and liked dancing a lot. Funny was the remark of a little girl: "I hope to be as famous as Madonna one day, and it's possible because after all Madonna started out in Aalbeke too!" :-)
Madonna in Guinness Book of Records
Source: AbsoluteMadonna, with thanks to Walter Mendoza - 9 January 2002According to the 2002 edition of the Guinness Book of Records, Madonna is the most successful solo female artist in the world. This is based on her total sales of more than 120 million albums and more than 40 million singles, more than any other female artist.
She's had 34 top ten singles and 12 top ten albums in the US and 48 top ten singles and 14 top ten albums in the UK. There is another title given to Madonna. The most watched concert via internet with a record breaking audience of more than 11 million for her 2000 gig at the Brixton Academy.
Rare picture for auction
Source: Ananova - 8 January 2002A rare signed picture of Madonna is being auctioned through Ananova's recommerce partner qxl. The 10-inch by 8-inch signed picture is guaranteed authentic by the sellers. You can find out more, or place your bid at qxl. Bidding closes on Friday.
Madonna asks comedian for party
Source: Ananova - 6 January 2002Madonna has reportedly asked comedian Bernard Manning to perform at a private party for her husband Guy Ritchie. She first met the controversial comic when he cracked jokes about the flat cap she was wearing at a the birthday party of chef Marco Pierre White. Bernard says Madonna really enjoyed his performance. His agent confirmed that he is in talks with Madonna to appear at a party later this month.
Back In Business
5 January 2002Hope you've all had a great time celebrating New Year; I certainly have! Seems there hasn't been any revolutionary Madonna news the past few days, but I'll sum up some of the more interesting details.
Madonna has received a Grammy Nomination for Don't Tell Me as 'Best Short Form Music Video'. She has to compete with Aerosmith, Missy Elliott, Fatboy Slim and Outkast. The show will be aired live on CBS on Feb. 27 at 8pm.
Chart news: GHV2 is at no. 30 in the Billboard 200; the DWT video is at 9; the megamix is at 38 in the Club Play, Impressive Instant at 31.
According to a poll of visitors to London's Madame Tussaud's waxworks, Jennifer Aniston beat Kylie and Madonna to take the title of 'Most Beautiful Woman'.
Madonna is at no. 18 in the list of most played artists in the US for 2001.
The English Office of National Statistics mentions the occurance of the name Rocco in birth registers since Madonna gave her son this Italian name.
IMDB mentions Madonna as one of the performers on the 2002 Brit Awards, though there's no official confirmation for this.